ttl serial camera - robot programmable, robot éducation ... · overview this tutorial is for our...

TTL Serial CameraCreated by lady ada

Last updated on 2014-07-12 09:15:08 AM EDT

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Guide Contents

Guide ContentsOverview

Sample ImagesWiring the CameraTesting the CameraUsing CommTool

Despite the software letting you change the baud rate this is a very flaky setting andeven if it works, when you power up the camera again it will reset. Some experimentershave accidentally disabled their cameras by trying to change the baud rate. We do notsuggest you mess with the baud rate settings. If you do, you may permanently disableyour camera and we will not replace it!

Using the CameraTaking a SnapshotDetecting MotionAdjusting the Manual Focus

F.A.Q.Buy a TTL Serial CameraDownloadsUnsupported Alternate libraries

© Adafruit Industries https://learn.adafruit.com/ttl-serial-camera of 29

OverviewThis tutorial is for our new TTL serial camera module with NTSC video output. Thesemodules are a nice addition to a microcontroller project when you want to take a photo orcontrol a video stream. The modules have a few features built in, such as the ability tochange the brightness/saturation/hue of images, auto-contrast and auto-brightnessadjustment, and motion detection.

Since it is a little confusing how this is both a snapshot and video camera, we'd like toexplain it in detail now. The module was initially designed for surveillance purposes. Itsmeant to constantly stream TV-resolution video out of the Video pin (this is NTSCmonochrome format) and also take commands from the serial port. The serial portcommands can request that the module freeze the video and then download a JPEG colorimage. So for example, normally its just displaying video to a security monitor. When motionis detected, it would take a photo and save it to a disk for later analysis.

The module is admittedly not extremely high resolution - the maximum image size it cantake is 640x480 pixels. And it is sensitive to infrared light, which alters the color renditionsomewhat. The reason for all this is that it's meant for surveillance, not for nature


photography. However, as far as we can tell, this is the best module on the market.

Module size: 32mm x 32mmImage sensor: CMOS 1/4 inchCMOS Pixels: 0.3MPixel size: 5.6um*5.6umOutput format: Standard JPEG/M-JPEGWhite balance: AutomaticExposure: AutomaticGain: AutomaticShutter: Electronic rolling shutterSNR: 45DBDynamic Range: 60DBMax analog gain: 16DBFrame speed: 640*480 30fpsScan mode: Progressive scanViewing angle: 60 degreesMonitoring distance: 10 meters, maximum 15meters (adjustable)Image size: VGA (640*480), QVGA (320*240), QQVGA (160*120)Baud rate: Default 38400 (the datasheet claims you can change the baud rate with acommand but it does not work reliably)Current draw: 75mAOperating voltage: DC +5VCommunication: 3.3V TTL (Three wire TX, RX, GND)

Sample ImagesHere are two example images, one of outside during a cloudy day, and one inside on asunny day.


Wiring the CameraThe module comes without any connector so you'll need to solder wires into the connectionpads. The good news is the pads are not too close togehter (about 2mm) and you can useany stranded or solid-core wire.

If you aren't planning to use the video output abilities, you can use 4 wires. We will use redfor the +5V pin, black for the Ground pin, white for the RX pin (data into the module) andgreen for the TX pin (data from the module)


If you'd like to get NTSC video out to connect to a TV or monitor, solder another black wireto the second Ground pin, and a yellow wire to the CVBS pin.


If you have the weatherproof version of this camera, it comes prewired with the following:

Red is connected to +5V inBlack is connected to GroundGreen is RXWhite is TXYellow is NTSC Video signal outBrown is NTSC Video ground


Testing the CameraThe quickest way to test out the modules is to use the NTSC video out connection. Thatway, when you adjust the view & focus you can immediately see the results. Paired with thenext section (using the Comm Tool), its the ideal method of introducing yourself to themodule.

Most TV's and monitors require an RCA jack or plug input. We just soldered a spare RCAjack to the camera, with black being the case ground and yellow signal. You can get RCAcables and accessories in any hobby/electronics shop like Radio Shack.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to change the camera from NTSC to PAL - itshardcoded by a pin soldered to the board and there's no easy way to extract it and changeit (we tried!)

Plug in the NTSC cable to your monitor, and connect the red and black power wires to +5Vsupply - you should get monochrome video output on the monitor immediately!

We have some NTSC television modules in the Adafruit shop you can use to testwith (http://adafru.it/aM5)


https://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=adasearch&q=NTSC+Television

Using CommToolTo use the Comm Tool, a windows utility, we need to set up a serial link to the camera.There's two ways we suggest doing this. One is to use something like an FTDI friend or otherUSB/TTL serial converter. If you have an Arduino you can 'hijack' the serial chip (FTDI chip orsimilar) by uploading a blank sketch to the Arduino:

If you're using a Leonardo, Micro, Yun, or other ATmega32U4-based controller, use thisLeo_passthru sketch instead of the "blank" sketch.

// empty sketch

void setup()

{

}

void loop()

{

}

Note: 'Hijacking' the serial port only works on Arduinos with a separate USB interface,like the Uno. It won't work on a Leonardo!

//Leo_passthru

// Allows Leonardo to pass serial data between

// fingerprint reader and Windows.

//

// Red connects to +5V

// Black connects to Ground

// Green goes to Digital 0

// White goes to Digital 1

void setup() {

Serial1.begin(57600);

Serial.begin(57600);

}

void loop()

{

while (Serial.available())

Serial1.write(Serial.read());

while (Serial1.available())

Serial.write(Serial1.read());


Now, wire it up as follows:

Note the 10K resistor divider, the camera's serial data pins are 3.3v logic and its a good ideato divide the 5V down so that its 2.5V. Normally the ouput from the digital 0 pin is 5V high,the way we connected the resistors is so the camera input (white wire) never goes above3.3V

Now download and install the VC0706 CommTool software (see below in the Downloadsection)

}

For the weatherproof camera, the white and green wires are swapped on somecameras! So please flip the white and green wires indicated if using the metal camera.Red should still be connected to +5 and Black to Ground


Start up the software and select the COM port that the Arduino is on.

Then Open the port and click Get Version

Note it says VC0703 - we don't know precisely why the DSP is programmed with a differentnumber - its one of those mysteries! Still, you should get a response

The next button you should press is near the bottom FBUF CTRL.


This is quite a panel, but we can use this to get images directly from the camera which isgood for debugging.

Point the camera at something you want to take a photo ofClick Stop FBuf to freeze the frame bufferClick Sel File to select the file to save the JPG as


Next press Read (next to Sel File) to read the jpeg image off the camera

Thats it! You can now easily test reading camera images. To take another photo. PressResume up at the top to have the video start up again. Then click Stop CFbuf when youwant to snap another photo. Finally you can select the Compression Ratio which willimprove or degrade the image quality but also change the image transfer time. There's no


way to change the image size from this program (easily) but we can do it using the Arduinosketch so just try it out here to start.

You might notice there's a dropdown for changing the baud rate. By default the baudrate is38400 baud.

Despite the software letting you change the baudrate this is a very flaky setting and even if it works,when you power up the camera again it will reset.Some experimenters have accidentally disabled theircameras by trying to change the baud rate. We donot suggest you mess with the baud rate settings. Ifyou do, you may permanently disable your cameraand we will not replace it!


The only other thing we suggest checking out is the Image Property button, which will letyou adjust settings for the camera, we bumped up our saturation a bit to get better images.Dragging the sliders will make the video output change immediately so this is a handy placeto get a TV connected up so you can check out how it works


There are many options for this software, here's what we think of the other buttons.Personally, we don't suggest going in to any of them unless you really need to.

Config - see aboveGet Version - see aboveR/W Data - this is for writing raw data to the DSP chip processor. Don't do this unlessyou're sure you know what you're doing since it will mess with the camera's ability.Even we don't know what it would be good forColor Ctrl - this is for selecting Color or Black&White or Auto select (probably basedon lighting conditions). You probably want to keep it at AutoMirror Ctrl - we think this is so you can flip the display (if its bouncing off a mirror)Power Ctrl - this is for testing the power down mode, and it seems like you might beable to have it auto-power down when there's no motion.Timer Ctrl - there is an RTC built into the DSP which you can set, however there's nobattery backup so if power is lost the RTC will be reset so we don't think its terriblyusefulAE Ctrl - this is for controlling the auto-contrast/brightness. By default its set to auto-select for indoor or outdoor use. Probably best to leave it as isMotion Ctrl - this is for the motion detection system. You can tweak the settings andalso test it. We have an Arduino sketch for interacting with the motion detectionsystem. By default it works pretty good but you can super tweak it out if you want to.OSD Config - The protocol sheet and this seem to imply you can do on-screen-


display but after much time spent on it, we determined its not activated somewhere inthe DSP. We've never seen a VC0706 camera that could do it. :(Image property - see aboveGamma - this is for more precise gamma control of the CMOS sensor. It seems to bepreset to be OK but you can mess with this if you'd likeSPI Flash - for reading/writing to the SPI storage? Not sure if its a good idea to messwith thisOther Ctrl - for playing with the DAC? No idea what this is for.Up/Down Load - this is for reading and writing to the flash probably to upload newDSP code. We dont suggest messing with thisSystem Reset - does a reset of the module. Press this if its not respondingFBuff Ctrl - see aboveZoom Ctrl - The module has built in 'Pan Tilt Zoom' ability BUT its for video only andwont affect photos snapped. You can play with the PTZ here, its pretty basic but couldbe useful for someone


Using the CameraNext up, we will wire the camera to our microcontroller (in this case an Arduino). This ispretty similar to the above except we will be using two digital pins and a software serial portto talk to the camera. To save images, you'll need some sort of external storage like ourmicroSD breakout board (http://adafru.it/254).

Connect up the camera like this:

We suggest testing the microSD card first. Check out our microSD breakout board tutorialand verify that you can read from the card by listing the files. Once you have verified themicroSD card wiring, you can come back here and install the VC0706 camera library.

Visit the Github repository here. (http://adafru.it/aM6) To download. click the DOWNLOADS

For the weatherproof camera, the white and green wires are swapped on somecameras! So please flip the white and green wires indicated if using the metal camera.Red should still be connected to +5 and Black to Ground


https://www.adafruit.com/products/254

https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit-VC0706-Serial-Camera-Library

button in the top right corner, rename the uncompressed folder Adafruit_VC0706. Checkthat the Adafruit_VC0706 folder contains Adafruit_VC0706.cpp and Adafruit_VC0706.h Placethe Adafruit_VC0706 library folder your arduinosketchfolder/libraries/ folder. You may needto create the libraries subfolder if its your first library. Restart the IDE.

If you're using Arduino v23 or earlier, you'll also need to install the NewSoftSerial library.Download it by clicking this link (http://adafru.it/aM7) and install it as you did theAdafruit_VC0706 library. Arduino 1.0 has this built in now (called SoftwareSerial)

Taking a SnapshotOK now you're finally ready to run the snapshot demo. Open up the Arduino IDE andselect File-> Examples-> Adafruit_VC0706-> Snapshot sketch and upload it to theArduino. Open up the serial monitor and you can see the sketch will take a 640x480 photoand save it to the microSD card. You can then pop the card into your computer to seethe JPG file

There are a few things you can change once you get it working. One is changing the pins thecamera uses. You can use any two digital pins, change this line:

You can also change the snapshot image dimension to 160x120, 320x240 or 640x480 bychanging these lines:

// This is the camera pin connection. Connect the camera TX

// to pin 2, camera RX to pin 3

NewSoftSerial cameraconnection = NewSoftSerial(2, 3);

// Set the picture size - you can choose one of 640x480, 320x240 or 160x120


http://arduiniana.org/NewSoftSerial/NewSoftSerial10c.zip

Simply uncomment the size you want, and comment out the others. Bigger pictures will takelonger to snap, so you will want to think about how fast you need to grab data and save it tothe disk

Detecting MotionA neat thing that the camera has built in is motion detection. It will look for motion in thevideo stream and alert the microcontroller (by sending a serial data packet) when motion isdetected. IN this way you can save a bit of cash and skip on having a PIR sensor (although aPIR sensor will be better at detecting warm mammalian things).

Load up the File-> Examples-> Adafruit_VC0706-> MotionDetect sketch andupload it to the Arduino. It will take a photo immediately because it just turned on. Then waita few minutes and wave you hand in front of the camera, it will take another photo.

You can turn motion detection on or off by calling setMotionDetect()

// Remember that bigger pictures take longer to transmit!

cam.setImageSize(VC0706_640x480); // biggest

//cam.setImageSize(VC0706_320x240); // medium

//cam.setImageSize(VC0706_160x120); // small


You can turn motion detection on or off by calling setMotionDetect()

You'll need to 'poll' the camera to ask it when motion is detected, bycalling motionDetected()- it will return true if motion was recently detected, and falseotherwise.

Adjusting the Manual FocusOne last thing, the camera modules use a manual focus system - there's no auto focus. Thiscan be good or bad. The camera comes with a far depth of focus which is good for moststuff. If you want to change the focus, we strongly recommend plugging it into a videomonitor as shown above so you can see exactly how the camera focus looks. You can thenlock the focus with the set screw

The version in the weatherproof housing is a little tougher to adjust but it can be done by

// Motion detection system can alert you when the camera 'sees' motion!

cam.setMotionDetect(true); // turn it on

//cam.setMotionDetect(false); // turn it off (default)


unscrewing the housing (it takes a few steps but its all easy to do) and then adjusting thefocus before reassembly


F.A.Q.Can I change the baud rate on this Camera?You might notice there seems to be a command for changing the baud rate. By defaultthe baudrate is 38400 baud.

Despite the software letting you change the baud rate this is a very flakysetting and even if it works, when you power up the camera again it willreset. Some experimenters have accidentally disabled their cameras bytrying to change the baud rate. We do not suggest you mess with the baudrate settings. If you do, you may permanently disable your camera and wewill not replace it!

How fast can I get pictures from the camera?This is a pretty slow UART camera, it can take up to 30 seconds to transfer an image! It ismeant for snapshots or time-lapse type photography, not for any kind of real-timeanalysis

Why is the color washed out? It looks like a monochrome image.Because it was designed for surveillance, the sensitivity of the camera extends into theinfrared range. This means that objects that reflect or emit infrared rays will appear lighterthan the do to the human eye. In some cases the image will appear washed out andalmost monochromatic.

A more natural rendering can be achieved using an IR blocking filter such as a B+W486 (http://adafru.it/d2t). (Thanks to forum member azhilyakov for the comparisonphotos!)


http://www.schneiderkreuznach.com/en/photo-imaging/product-field/b-w-fotofilter/products/filtertypes/special-filters/486-uvir-cut/

Buy a TTL Serial CameraBuy a TTL Serial Camera (http://adafru.it/397)


http://www.adafruit.com/products/397

DownloadsVC0706 Comm Tool - Windows control software (http://adafru.it/aM8) (works in Parallels inMacOSX. We do not have source code for this tool in order to directly port it to Mac/Linux)

Adafruit VC0706 Arduino library Github repository (http://adafru.it/aM6)

NewSoftSerial library download (http://adafru.it/aM7)

Unsupported Alternate libraries

https://github.com/oskarirauta/Adafruit-VC0706-Serial-Camera-Library (http://adafru.it/aUn)is a version for the Maple - we didn't write this code and don't support it but it might behandy for Maple users!

© Adafruit Industries Last Updated: 2014-07-12 09:15:10 AM EDT of 29

http://www.adafruit.com/datasheets/VC0706CommTool(EN) Setup V1-00.exe

https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit-VC0706-Serial-Camera-Library

http://arduiniana.org/NewSoftSerial/NewSoftSerial10c.zip

https://github.com/oskarirauta/Adafruit-VC0706-Serial-Camera-Library

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